WES FRANKLIN: Antique doll program set for Aug. 11

Do you collect antique dolls? Do you wish you did? Or, like me, do you simply appreciate the things of yesteryear?

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Neosho Daily News - Neosho, MO

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Posted Jul. 27, 2013 at 8:44 PM

Posted Jul. 27, 2013 at 8:44 PM

Do you collect antique dolls? Do you wish you did? Or, like me, do you simply appreciate the things of yesteryear?

If so, there is an event coming up that you may be interested in.

The Newton County Historical Society is hosting an antique doll show and share program from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, in the schoolhouse at the Newton County Historical Park and Museum, 121 N. Washington St. in Neosho. That is one block northeast of the Neosho Square.

I know it’s a little early to announce this event, but I know I’ll be talking about it again, so I suppose it doesn’t hurt.

Lynn Tatum, of Pineville, will be our special guest speaker. She plans to bring and talk about some of her own antique dolls, and also share information about the subject in general. That starts at 2 p.m., so don’t be late!

Lynn recently told me an interesting fact about most antique porcelain dolls in that if they were made before (and even beyond) 1900, they almost always came from the same locale in Germany. She said she intends to touch on that during her presentation, which I am looking forward to. I find things like that fascinating. I love uniqueness of things and especially places.

We call these Sunday programs “show and share” because it is exactly that. Everyone is welcome to bring their own antique dolls – porcelain or otherwise – and maybe say a few words about them, following the guest presentation. If you don’t want to speak, that’s fine. We will have tables reserved for you to display them if you wish, only I might advise to bring a stand or something else to keep the doll in to stabilize it. As you know if you have one, porcelain dolls, especially, are extremely fragile.

Now, as I noted, not all of the dolls need to be porcelain. There are many other dolls made of other materials – including handmade rag dolls – that I think have just as much an interesting story. Some time back, for two or three years in a row, the historical society even hosted a corn husk doll workshop for kids and adults alike that was fairly popular.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know much about antique dolls. But that’s why we like to cover a variety of historical topics in our events. I guarantee you I’ll know more after this program!

I hope to see you on Aug. 11! Please mark your calendar.

Wes Franklin serves on the board of directors of the Newton County Historical Society. He is also public relations/events coordinator for the City of Neosho. Call him at 658-8443.